Design of cost-effective and efficient fiber-reinforced composite blades for wind turbines

Abstract

At present day, electricity generation using wind energy is increasing by 20–30% in the rated capacity per year, which is expected to make the worldwide energy balance to 12% by 2020 (Chikhradze et al., 2015). Wind power has an immense potential to meet Nation’s need for greater energy efficiency and more diverse energy portfolio. In 2006, a white house led collaborative approach set a feasibility study to increase wind contribution to total US electricity generation by 20% in 2030 (20% Wind Energy by 2030, 2017). The report suggested increasing the number of turbine installation from 2000 per year to almost 7000 per year. The report also suggested a strong need for enhanced transmission infrastructure, improved reliability and operability of wind systems and reduced dependence on foreign turbines by increasing the manufacturing capacity. Following up with the predecessor, the Obama administration released a clean power plan to boost more renewable energy and less coal derived energy (Mooney, 2015).